Physical therapists in the US earn $97,720 on average — with top earners and practice owners making $120,000-$150,000+.
Average Physical Therapist Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $97,720 |
| Median salary | $95,620 |
| Entry level | $75,000-$85,000 |
| Mid-career | $95,000-$110,000 |
| Top 10% | $126,000+ |
| Hourly rate | $47.00 |
Physical Therapist Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $117,320 | $56.40 | +20% |
| California | $113,000 | $54.33 | +16% |
| Alaska | $108,620 | $52.22 | +11% |
| New Jersey | $107,310 | $51.59 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $105,640 | $50.79 | +8% |
| Texas | $102,010 | $49.04 | +4% |
| Arizona | $100,540 | $48.34 | +3% |
| Massachusetts | $99,850 | $48.00 | +2% |
| Colorado | $98,970 | $47.58 | +1% |
| New York | $97,960 | $47.10 | 0% |
| Florida | $92,840 | $44.63 | -5% |
| Pennsylvania | $91,150 | $43.82 | -7% |
| Ohio | $88,740 | $42.66 | -9% |
| Louisiana | $83,560 | $40.17 | -14% |
Physical Therapist Salary by Setting
| Work Setting | Average Salary | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health | $105,000-$130,000 | Flexible |
| Skilled Nursing (SNF) | $95,000-$115,000 | M-F |
| Hospital (inpatient) | $90,000-$110,000 | Shifts |
| Hospital (outpatient) | $85,000-$105,000 | M-F |
| Travel PT | $100,000-$140,000 | Contracts |
| Private practice (employee) | $75,000-$100,000 | M-F |
| Private practice (owner) | $100,000-$200,000+ | Varies |
| Schools | $75,000-$90,000 | School year |
Home health and skilled nursing consistently pay the highest.
Physical Therapist Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Additional Training |
|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic PT | $95,000 | OCS certification |
| Neurological PT | $97,000 | NCS certification |
| Sports PT | $94,000 | SCS certification |
| Geriatric PT | $92,000 | GCS certification |
| Pediatric PT | $90,000 | PCS certification |
| Cardiovascular/Pulmonary | $96,000 | CCS certification |
| Women’s Health | $93,000 | WCS certification |
PT Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| New Grad (0-1 year) | $75,000-$85,000 |
| Early Career (1-4 years) | $82,000-$95,000 |
| Mid-Career (5-9 years) | $92,000-$105,000 |
| Experienced (10-19 years) | $100,000-$115,000 |
| Late Career (20+ years) | $105,000-$125,000 |
Travel Physical Therapist Pay
Travel PTs earn significantly more:
| Component | 13-Week Contract |
|---|---|
| Weekly taxable pay | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Weekly housing stipend | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Weekly meals stipend | $400-$600 |
| Total weekly | $3,100-$4,900 |
| Annualized | $120,000-$180,000 |
Stipends are tax-free if you maintain a tax home.
Cost of Becoming a Physical Therapist
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree (4 years) | $40,000-$160,000 |
| DPT program (3 years) | $80,000-$180,000 |
| Total education cost | $120,000-$340,000 |
| Average PT student debt | $115,000 |
| Time to complete | 7 years |
The high student debt is a major consideration when evaluating this career.
Physical Therapist Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | $8,400 | $6,120 | $3,200 | $62,280 |
| $97,720 | $11,800 | $7,476 | $3,910 | $74,534 |
| $110,000 | $15,000 | $8,415 | $4,400 | $82,185 |
| $130,000 | $21,000 | $9,945 | $5,200 | $93,855 |
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Salary
PTAs (2-year degree) earn less but have much lower education costs:
| Metric | PTA | PT |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary | $61,180 | $97,720 |
| Education time | 2 years | 7 years |
| Education cost | $15,000-$40,000 | $120,000-$340,000 |
| Student debt | $20,000 | $115,000 |
Job Outlook
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2022-2032) | 15% (much faster than average) |
| Annual openings | ~22,000 |
| Current employment | 258,000 |
| Aging population impact | Strong demand driver |
The aging baby boomer population will drive strong PT demand.
How to Maximize PT Salary
- Work in home health or SNF — Pay 10-30% higher than outpatient
- Travel PT — Earn $120,000-$180,000 with tax advantages
- Move to high-paying states — Nevada, California, New Jersey
- Get specialty certified — Small pay bump, better job options
- Open your own practice — Owners earn $120,000-$200,000+
- PRN/part-time extra work — $50-$75/hour
Is Physical Therapy Worth It?
Pros:
- Good salary ($97,000 average)
- Excellent job security
- Help patients improve quality of life
- Diverse work settings
- Growing demand
Cons:
- High student debt ($115,000 average)
- Requires doctorate (7 years education)
- Physically demanding
- Productivity requirements
- Reimbursement pressures
Bottom Line
Physical therapists earn $97,720 average, with home health and travel PTs earning $110,000-$180,000. The profession offers good pay and excellent job security, but high education costs ($115,000 average debt) reduce the financial advantage. Travel PT and practice ownership offer the highest earning potential.